The polling date for the first Scottish Parliament election was held on 7th May, 1999. The Scottish National Party (SNP) had polled well in opinion polls running up to the election, gaining some 40% approval ratings and leading Labour, but this level of support wasn't maintained and they eventually polled behind them. The Tories failed to win a single constituency seat (as they had done in Scotland in the 1997 UK General Election.
The SSP and Greens picked up unexpected seats. Indeed, Robin Harper became the first ever Green parliamentarian in the history of the United Kingdom.
The Labour Party and Lib-Dems formed the Scottish Executive after the election, with Donald Dewar becoming First Minister.
First Past the Post Results
Dennis Canavan was elected as an independent representative for Falkirk West
Additional Members System Results
Scottish Parliamentary Representation
See also:
National Vote
Labour 908,392 votes (38.81%)/53 MSPs
SNP 672,757 votes (28.74%)/7 MSPs
Tory 364,225 votes (15.56%)/0 MSPs
Lib-Dems 331,279 votes (14.15%)/12 MSPs
SSP 23,564 votes (1.01%)/0 MSPs
Greens Did not contest (0.0%)/0 MSPs
Labour 786,818 votes (33.64%)/3 MSPs
SNP 638,644 votes (20.9%)/28 MSPs
Tory 359,109 votes (15.35%)/18 MSPs
Lib-Dems 290,760 votes (12.43%)/5 MSPs
Greens 84,024 votes (3.59%)/1 MSP
SSP 46,635 votes (1.99%)/1 MSP
Party Leaders in 1999Further Reference